DMC World Magazine

Dina Summer

Dan Prince

Berlin’s indie electro-wave sensation Dina Summer returns with their latest single, “Schall & Rauch,” released on October 2 via their label Iptamenos Discos. We caught up with the group known for their dark disco and post-punk fusion, the trio comprising Kalipo (of Frittenbude) and DJ/producer duo Local Suicide. This is the fourth single to preview their highly anticipated sophomore album, Girls Gang, set to drop in January 2025. With their distinctive sound that has captivated both electronic and indie scenes, Dina Summer continues to push boundaries, offering fans a mix of euphoric rhythms and melancholic themes.

 

Your new single “Schall & Rauch” is described as a nostalgic reflection on what was and what could have been. Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind this track?

“Schall & Rauch” translates to “Sound & Smoke”, which in German also refers to something elusive or intangible, like smoke and mirrors. The song is about the fleeting nature of love, desire, and loss. It was the last track we wrote for the album, and by then, we had a clear sense of direction, so it came together quite naturally. We wanted it to reflect the contradiction of something that feels intense and meaningful, but can vanish in an instant, much like the emotions we experience in relationships. The blend of dark wave and indie-punk influences speaks to our roots, while the electronic elements keep it tied to the club context we come from.

“Girls Gang” album seems to explore diverse concepts. How did you choose the themes for the album, and what was the creative process behind it?

“Girls Gang” delves into a variety of themes that resonate with both personal experiences and broader societal narratives with a splash of Dada. Each track is crafted to tell its own story:

The creative process differed for each track. Typically, we began with a musical sketch, followed by developing the lyrics and vocals. Once the structure felt right, Kalipo handled the mixing and mastering to bring everything together and finalize the song.

Nostalgia is a big part of your sound, but you also manage to keep it fresh and forward-thinking. How do you balance these retro influences with modern elements?

Our sound is heavily influenced by the music we grew up with, especially from the 80’s, along with early 2000’s electronic music, punk, wave, and indie. For “Girls Gang” we wanted to channel these influences without simply replicating them. It was important for us to bring those retro elements into the present by giving them a modern twist. The result is a sound that feels richer and more refined, yet we intentionally avoid making it too polished or overproduced preserving the charm of the original inspirations. A key focus for us is ensuring the music also hits hard in a club environment, keeping the energy alive on the dance floor.

Since forming in 2018, Dina Summer has garnered a lot of support from big names in the electronic scene. How do you think the support helped shape your careers?

The support from artists we look up to has been truly inspiring. Having legends like Vitalic, The Hacker, DJ Hell, Chicks on Speed and Erol Alkan appreciate our work is both rewarding and pushes us to keep evolving creatively.

Watching Charlotte De Witte and Enrico Sangiuliano drop our track at Burning Man was an unforgettable moment.

Your music has resonated strongly in the underground scene. Do you feel connected to any particular music community or movement, or do you see Dina Summer as more genre-fluid?

We definitely feel rooted in the underground, particularly within Berlin’s dark disco, wave, goth and electro scenes. However, we don’t see ourselves confined to just one genre. Dina Summer is all about fluidity—both in sound and in the themes we explore. We pull influences from a variety of genres like Italo Disco, New Wave, Post Punk, Indie, Electroclash, New Beat and EBM, blending them to create something distinct. We like to keep things flexible, letting the music evolve organically instead of confining it to a specific genre or movement.

What can fans expect from your upcoming tour, any cities you’re most excited to play?

Fans can look forward to high-energy performances, featuring a blend of our earlier work and songs from the new album. With our growing discography, it’s gonna be a challenge to pick the setlist though!

We’re especially excited to play at Lido in Berlin, our home base, with our buddies Die Selektion as our special guests on March 13th and to perform live in Paris for the first time in December at the Iptamenos Discos x La Culottée party at La Station on December 13th. But honestly, every stop on the tour is special in its own way, and we can’t wait to bring our music to new and familiar faces alike.

What’s been the most rewarding moment for you as a band so far?

There have been so many, but playing at the closing of Fusion Festival last year and our sold-out release party at Urban Spree in Berlin were huge highlights. Seeing a packed club with people dancing and singing along to our songs was a surreal and emotional experience.

Another highlight was collaborating with talented visual artists for the Reeperbahn Collide session. Also being invited to the final show of Olaf Zimmermann, one of the most iconic German radio producers, on Radio Eins to talk about our “Girls Gang” album was a real honour.

But beyond the performances, hearing feedback from fellow artists and fans, who connect with our music, is always one of the most fulfilling parts.

 

If you could give advice to your younger selves, just starting out with Dina Summer, what would it be?

Stay focused and true to your vision, keep working hard, and enjoy the ride.

As you continue to evolve your sound, what are some new musical directions or ideas you’d like to explore in future projects?

We’ve always embraced the idea of blending a wide range of sounds and genres, from Italo disco and dark wave to electroclash and techno. Our creative process is very fluid, so rather than sticking to a rigid plan for what comes next, we prefer to let the music evolve naturally. We enjoy experimenting and seeing where the journey takes us, allowing each release to reflect where we are artistically at that moment.

Lastly, what are 5 tunes you recommend to readers for this weekend

The Normal – Warm Leatherette

Ruth – Polaroid / Roman / Photo

The Neon Judgement – The Fashion Party

Fad Gadget – Ladyshave

Ultimate Spinach – (Ballad of) Hip Death Goddess

*****

Dina Summer Tour Dates:
13.12.2024 – Paris, La Station – Gare des Mines
13.03.2025 – Berlin, Lido
14.03.2025 – Zürich, KAUZ
20.03.2025 – Mainz, Schon Schön
22.03.2025 – Munich, Rote Sonne
27.03.2025 – Hamburg, Bahnhof Pauli
29.03.2025 – Leipzig, Conne Island
+ more TBC